Trading card game (TCG) transactions surged 57-fold in a year, driven by a series of events marking the 30th anniversary of Pokemon, the mega intellectual property (IP).
Kream, a limited-edition trading platform, released its monthly trend report "Keugeosi Algosipda" on Monday, examining TCG market trends. TCG is a game in which players collect and exchange cards to build their own decks and battle opponents. Once regarded as a pastime, TCG has recently gained recognition for its rarity and artistry, forming a collectibles culture.
Cumulative transaction volume in the trading card category on Kream jumped 5,625% year-on-year from January to April this year. Last month's transaction volume surged 15,325% from a year earlier.
High premiums have formed around Pokemon TCG this year in conjunction with the franchise's 30th anniversary. A prime example is the "Pokemon TCG Ditto's Time Capsule Promo Card Ditto." Distributed in limited quantities at an event in Jamsil last year, the card attracted demand from collectors worldwide due to its rarity as a Korea-exclusive item. As a result, it traded for as high as 658,000 won on Kream last month, up 2,532% from last year's transaction price.
The "Pokemon TCG Pikachu P Munch Exhibition Sun & Moon Promo Card," which drew attention for featuring a "Screaming Pikachu," traded for 23.63 million won on Kream in March. The "Pokemon TCG Mario Pikachu P XY Promo Card," released in 2016 in collaboration with Super Mario for Pokemon's 20th anniversary, also drew collectors' interest with its cute Pikachu illustration wearing Mario's trademark cap and overalls, trading for 13.9 million won on Kream last month.
Kream believes its rigorous authentication system has positioned it as a safe channel for high-value transactions, absorbing TCG trading demand. TCG card values can vary significantly based on minor damage or condition. "In line with big events such as Pokemon's 30th anniversary, TCG is moving beyond the exclusive domain of enthusiasts and establishing itself as a mainstream collectibles culture," a Kream official said. According to global market research firm Mordor Intelligence, the worldwide TCG market is projected to reach approximately $15.1 billion (about 22 trillion won) this year.
